Court: Student Can't Sue Over 'Ave Maria' Ban

The Supreme Court will not let a high school student sue because school officials refused to let her play an instrumental version of "Ave Maria" at her graduation.

The high court on Monday refused to hear an appeal from Kathryn Nurre. She wanted to play "Ave Maria" — Hail Mary in Latin — with the band's wind ensemble at the Henry M. Jackson High School graduation in 2006.

The Everett, Wash., school refused to let them perform the song, saying a similar religious-themed song had already gotten complaints.

Nurre sued, but the federal courts threw out the lawsuit. Judges said it was reasonable for a school official to prohibit the performance of an obviously religious piece.